Ore-concentrator.



N 879104. PATENTED FEB. 11,1908.

0 E. M. IAHRAUS.

ORE OONOENTRATQR. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. U H a 1; mmms rrrzns c PATENTED. FEB. 11, 1908. E. M. JAHRAUS. I

ORE GO NCENTRATOR. APPLICATION FILEDNOV. g2, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 EDWIN M. JAHRAUS, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

OBE-CONCENTRATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1908.

Application filed November 22v 1906. Serial No. 344.652.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN M. J AHRAUS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ore-Concentrators, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates generally to an improvement in ore concentrators, and particularly to a concentrator in which the separation is primarily effected under the influence of a pneumatic current automatically produced in the operation of the machine.

The main object of the invention is the production of a main frame and a tilting frame movablyjournaled in the main frame, the separator box, blast mechanism, and operating means therefor, being supported by and movable with the tilting frame. In connection with this construction, the main frame is formed to permit movement of the tilting frame and connected parts, and means are provided for adjusting the tilting frame during operation of the machine, whereby to secure in each instance that inclination of the separator box best adapted for the handling of the particular ore being treated.

Another object of the invention is the construction of riflle-bar supports and riifle-bars to insure an effective connection between these parts in assembling the box structure, with the result of properly tightening the permeable fabric forming the bottom of the box and avoiding any obstruction to the effective passage of the blast current through said fabric.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a pneumatic cushion to form the immediate support of the ore box, said cushion being arranged to permit lateral or transverse adjustment of the box to secure the desired. side inclination, and also serving as a seal for the blastchamber underlyin the box.

With the above objects in view, t e invention consists in certain details of construction and combination of parts which will be fully described in the following specification, reference being had particularly to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of an ore concentrator constructed. in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a partial section of the concentrator on the line 9cac of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation, partly in longitudinal section, showing the lower end of the piston-rod and the actuating cam therefor. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the concentrator shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan of one corner of the box-supporting section of the concentrator. Fig. 6 is a top plan of one corner of the lower section of the box. Fig. 7 is a top plan of one corner of the upper section of the box. Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective detail, partly 1n section, illustrating particularly the connection between the riffle-bars and riflle-bar supports, and the relative arrangements of the operative parts of the box.

Referring particularly to the drawings,-

wherein is illustrated the preferred form of my invention, 1 represents the main frame, comprising more particularly duplicate side sections maintained in spaced parallel rela tion by struts or connecting bars, and each provided with suitable supporting feet 2. The side sections are preferably of skeleton form, and are of approximately rectangular shape in elevation, except that the upper supporting bars incline rearwardly and downwardly for approximately half their lengths, as at Fig. 3.

A supporting shaft 4 is mounted on the upper bars of the sections of the main frame slightly in advance of the forward terminals of the inclined portions 3 of said bars. Shaft 4, hereinafter termed the axial shaft, extends transversely of the main frame, and is provided beyond one side section thereof with a belt pulley 6, to receive a power belt 5 leading from any suitable source of power, and from which pulley extends a transmission belt 7, by means of-which movement is imparted to the operating parts of the machine, as will readily appear.

A tilting frame A is movably mounted within the main frame, said tilting frame comprising upper frame bars and a depending section including side bars connected by lower'and upper cross bars A A The tilting frame is movably supported upon the shaft 4, the upper side bars of the frame being formed with suitable bearings to engage the shaft. The Width of the tilting frame is slightly less than the space between the side sections of the main frame, so that, with the tilting frame supported upon the shaft 4, the depending section of said frame rests between the side sections of the main frame and terminates slightly above the lower cross bars of the main frame section.

tion.

An operating shaft 8 is revolubly mounted in the lower end of the depending section of the tilting frame, one end of said shaft being projected beyond the relatively outer plane of one of the side sections of the main frame and provided with a belt pulley 6 to receive the transmission belt 7, whereby movement is imparted to the operating shaft.

A piston rod 9 is mounted for reciprocation in the depending section of the tilting frame, the cross bars of said section being formed with bearings to receive and permit movement of the piston rod. The relatively lower end of the piston rod is formed to receive a removable shoe 44, and the operating shaft 8, in line with the piston rod, is provided with a cam formed with a plurality of cam phases 10, whereby reciprocation is imparted to the piston rod in the rotation of the operating shaft.

The separator box is mounted upon the tilting frame, being preferably formed to provide a box-supporting section, a lower box section, and an upper or separating sec- The box supporting section comprises a rectangular frame 12, formed at the relatively lower edge with an inwardlyextending flange 13 through the medium of which the supporting section is bolted or otherwise secured to the upper frame bars of the tilting frame. The relatively upper end of the piston rod projects within the plane of the supporting section 12, and is terminally provided with a piston 11, of less length and breadth than the similar dimensions of the supporting frame. The piston is removably secured to the upper end of the piston rod in any desired manner, and said piston is con- .nected to the frame 12 through the medium of a flexible support 15, as an impermeable fabric of any desired character, the edges of the fabric being secured to a flange projecting inwardly from the wallsof the supporting section 12. The piston 11 is provided with the usual piston valve 16, which may be of any preferred construction and in any desired number, the sole requirement being that in the descent of the piston the valves automatically open to permit admission of air to the chamber above the piston, and automatically close against the egress of said air through the valves in the upward movement of the piston.

The lower section of the separator box comprises a rectangular frame 17, corresponding in dimensions with the frame 12, and interiorly provided. with a series of spaced parallel bars 17 extending diagonally of the frame, and hereinafter termed the riffle-bar supports.

The upper or separating section of the box comprises a frame 18 corresponding in dimensions to the frame 17 and adapted to be secured directly upon the latter. The bottom of the separator section is formed by a permeable fabric 18 which is designed to directly overlie the riffle-bar supports and is secured to the frame 17 through the medium of an auxiliary frame 23 of a size to snugly embrace frame 17, the edges of the fabric being secured to the frame 23 by reinforcing stri s 24. The fabric is thus secured in place by ffictionally engaging the'auxiliary frame with the frame 17, in which position said fabric will overlie and rest upon the riffle-bar su ports.

The respective sections of the separator box are removably secured in cooperative.

relation through the medium of screw rods 21 which are pivotally mounted in ears 19 formed on a flange 2O projecting laterally from the lower edge of the frame 17, the relatively upper edge of the frame 18 being formed with guide ears between which the upper ends of the screw rods are received, thumb nuts 22 being threaded upon the upper ends of said rods for securing the frame in applied positions.

Riflle-bars a are secured within the frame 18, being projected at the same angle and in the same relative positions as the riflle-bar supports, so that when said frames 17 and 18 are connected the riffle-bars will aline with and rest u on the riffle-bar supports.

As the fflast current to which the separating box is subjected in operation passes between the rifiie-bar supports and through the permeable fabric overlying said supports, it is of importance that the permeable fabric be in a proper condition of tension to effectively support the ore, and that the juncture or connection between the rifiie-bar supports and riffle-bars be such as to avoid any interference with the blast current or any deflecting of the same from an operative course.

As a material part of the present'invention, I have devised a means of connection between the riflle-bar supports and riffle-bars which, in the assembling of these parts, will tend to properly stretch or tighten the permeable fabric and will avoid any interference With the blast current. With this particular object in view, 1 form the relatively upper edges of the riffle-bar supports with longitudinally-extending grooves or depressions, and also form the relatively lower or engaging edges of the rifiie-bars to snugly fit within said depressions. From this construction as the riflle-bars are seated upon the riifle-bar supports the permeable fabric overlying said supports is forced into the depressions in the supports with the result that said fabric is stretched. to the proper degree, while the snug juncture of the riffle-bars and supports avoids the slightest interference with theblast-currents.

I- have shown the depressions in the supports as of V-shape in transverse section, and while preferring such as a practical embodiment of this feature of the invention it is to be understood that I contemplate the use of any form of depression, or of any medium manner.

of connection whereby the riffle-bars fit within the supports to a greater or less extent.

The blast chamber of the apparatus is in effect that portion thereof included between the piston 11 and the permeable fabric 18 As this section involves the juncture between the frames 12 and 17 it is obvious that means must be provided for sealing such juncture. To this end I form the relatively upper edge of the frame 12 with a laterally projecting flange 14, which is concavo-convex in cross section and adapted to form a seat for the reception of a closed pneumatic tube 25 which underlies and supports the laterallyprojecting flange 20, of the frame 17. The tube 25 which is fully inflated thus forms a sealing medium at the juncture of the frames 12 and 17 preventing leverage at this point, and, in addition thereto, having another and important function, which 1 shall now describe.

As the tube 25 extends around the box structure in alinement with the frames, it is obvious that said tube provides in effect a cushion support between the box proper and the frame 12. The frames 17 and 12 are se cured in applied position through the medium of a series of adjusting rods pivotally connected at their lower ends to cars 27 projecting from the frame 12 and engaging at their upper ends slotted ears 28 projecting from the flange 20 of the frame 17. Beyond the ears 28 the adjusting rods are provided with nuts 29, preferably of thewing type, so that through the operation of said nuts the frames 12 and 17 may be adjusted relative to each other. As the flexible cushion 25 is interposed between the frames 12 and 17 it will be apparent that by proper adjustment of the nuts 29 the frame 17 and therefore the separating box may be given any lateral adjustment or inclination with respect to the frame 12. It is by this means therefore, that the lateral inclination of the separating box, necessary to the proper separation of particular ores, is obtained, the degree of inclination being readily obtained by proper adjustment of the nuts 29, in an obvious The pneumatic tube 25 has, therefore, as its main function, that of permitting the desired lateral inclination of the separating box, serving in addition, of course as a sealing juncture between the frames 12 and 17, forming the blast chamber.

The tilting frame A is operative to provide the separating box with the desired degree of longitudinal inclination, and to permit the adjustment of this frame in a convenient manner without interfering with the blast mechanism I provide the lower cross bar'of the depending section of the tilting frame with a pivotally-supported yoke 30, at the outer end of which is axially supported a threaded nut 32. The rod 31 is revolubly mounted in a bearing formed integral with the main frame, one end of said rod being provided with a bevel gear 33 and the opposite end threaded for engagement with the nut 32. A shaft 35 is also revolubly mounted in the main frame being provided at one end with a bevel gear 34 in meshwith the bevel gear 33 and at the opposite end with a hand wheel 36 arranged for manual operation. The depending section of the tilting frame may, my manual operation of the hand wheel 36, be adjusted toward or from the cross bars of the main frame with the effect to swing the tilting frame on the axial shaft 4 and thereby impart the desired degree of inclination to the separating box. In this connection it is to be particularly noted that the operating shaft 8 is carried by and movable with the main frame, thereby permitting the operator to adjust the longitudinal inclination of the separating box without interfering with the operation of the blast mechanism. This is of importance in machines of this character, as it enables the operator to accurately gage the inclination of the separating box with particular regard to the class of ore being handled, the adjustment being accomplished while the blast is in operation, thereby permitting that exact adjustment necessary for the best results with the particular ore under the influence of a determinate blast.

As the degree of blast varies with different ores I have provided a means for manually adjusting thepiston rod to vary the reciprocatory effect of the cam. This adjusting means is more particularly illustrated in Fig. 1, in which 39 represents a sleeve of smooth bore to permit passage of the piston rod 9. The lower portion of the exterior surface of the sleeve is plain, and is adapted to be inserted in an opening in the lower cross bar of the tilting frame and to be removably secured therein by a set screw or similar means. Above the cross bar the sleeve is exteriorly threaded at 40 to receive an adjusting nut 41, the relativelyupper edge of which is provided with an interiorly-projecting flange to encircle the piston rod above the sleeve and to bear beneath a collar 42 fixed to the piston rod. A spring 43 encircles the piston rod between the collar 42 and the upper cross bar of the tilting frame, and a second spring 37 encircles said rod above the cross bar,

bearing between said cross bar and a nut 38 ing directly upon the riffle-bars and preferably disposed in uniform spaced relation at right angles to the planes of the riffle-bars. The riffle-bars and skimmer bars of the present invention have the usual function, and further detailed description of such is not deemed necessary herein.

The salient features of the present invention reside in the tilting frame for supporting the separator box, the blast mechanism, including the operating shaft, being movable with and carried by this frame; the specific connection between the riffle-bars and rifflebar supports, whereby the permeable fabric is tightened in the connection of these bars, and interference with the air blast avoided; and the inflatable cushion arranged between the separator box and the supporting frame therefor, and providing a means for the lateral inclination of the box and also sealing the juncture of the frames forming the blast chamber.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, is:

1. An ore concentrator, comprising a main frame, a tilting frame movably supported thereby, a separating box carried by the tilting frame, blast mechanism for the box, and an operating shaft for said mechanism arranged below the support for the tilting frame.

2. An ore concentrator, comprising a main frame, a tilting frame movably supported thereon, a separating box carried by the tilting frame, an operating shaft mounted in and arranged below the support for the tilting frame, and means for adjusting the tilting frame relative to the main frame.

3. An ore concentrator comprising a main frame, an axial shaft supported thereby, a tilting frame mounted upon said shaft, a separating box carried by the tilting frame, blast mechanism for said box, an operating shaft for said blast mechanism, said shaft being mounted in and arranged below the support for the tilting frame, and means for adjusting the frame.

4. An ore concentrator comprising a main frame, an axial shaft mounted on the main frame, a tilting frame mounted on said shaft and having a depending section arranged within the main frame, a separating box sup-- ported by the tilting frame, blast mechanism for said box, and an operating shaft for said blast mechanism, said shaftbeingmounted in the depending section of the tilting frame.

5. An ore concentrator comprising a main frame, an axial shaft mounted thereon, a tilting frame mounted on the axial shaft and having a depending section movable within the main frame, a separator box carried by the tilting frame, blast mechanism for said box, an operating shaft for said mechanism mounted in and movable with the depending section of the tilting frame, power means carried by the axial shaft, and a connection between said power means and the operating shaft.

6. An ore concentrator comprising a main frame, an axial shaft mounted. thereon, a tilting frame mounted on the axial shaft and having a depending section movable within the main frame, said main frame being inclined to permit movement of the tilting frame in one direction, a separator box carried by the tilting frame, blast mechanism for said box, and an operating shaft for said mechanism mounted in and movable with the depending section of the tilting frame.

7. A separator box for ore concentrators including a frame, riffie-bar supports, a permeable fabric overlying the supports, and riffle-bars resting loosely upon said supports above said fabric, said supports being formed to receive the lower edges of the riffle-bars and to take up a portion of the fabric by such juncture.

8. A separator box for ore concentrators including a frame, riflle-bar supports, apermeable fabric overlying the supports, and rifile-bars resting loosely upon said supports above said fabric, said supports being formed with longitudinally-extending depressions to receive the lower edges of the riffle-bars, whereby to force a portion of the fabric into said depressions in the connection of the riffle-bars with the supports.

9. A separator box for ore concentrators including a frame, rifIle-bar supports, a permeable fabric overlying the supports, and rifle-bars resting loosely upon said supports above said fabric, said supports being formed with longitudinally-extending depressions, the lower edges of the riffle-bars being projected to conform in transverse section to the sectional contour of said depressions.

10. A separator box for ore concentrators including a frame, riflle-bar supports, a permeable fabric overlying the supports, and riflle-bars resting loosely upon. said supports above said fabric, said supports being formed with longitudinally-extending depressions of V-shape in cross section, the lower edges of the riffle-bars having V-shaped projections to fit within the depressions in the supports.

11. An ore concentrator comprising a main frame, a box-supporting frame movable thereon, a separating box mounted on the supporting frame and a pneumatic cushion arranged between the supporting frame and the box, said cushion being closed against atmospheric influence.

12. An ore concentrator comprising a main frame, a box-supporting frame movable thereon, a box supported on the frame, a blast chamber arranged between the box and frame, and an air cushion independent of the blast chamber and arranged between the box and frame.

13. An ore concentrator comprising a frame, a box-supporting frame movable a permeable fabric stretched across said supthereon, a box supported on the frame, a blast chamber arranged between the box and supporting frame, an air cushion independent of the blast chamber and arranged between the box and supporting frame, and means for manually compressing the air cushion to vary the inclination of the box relative to the supporting frame.

14. An ore concentrator including a boxsupporting frame, a box supported thereon, and a pneumatic tube arranged between. the box and frame.

' 15. An ore concentrator including a box supporting frame, a box supported thereon, a pneumatic tube arranged between the box and frame, and means for compressing said tube to vary the inclination of the box relative to the frame.

16. An ore concentrator including a boxsupporting frame, a box supported thereon, a pneumatic tube arranged between the box and frame, means for compressing the tube at determinate points to incline the box relative to the frame, and a blast chamber arranged between the box and frame, said tube serving to. seal the outlet from the chamber between the box and frame.

17. In an ore'separator of the class described, the separating devices consisting of an ore chamber frame, a riflie-bar and fabric therefor, a pneumatic tube forming the seal of the ore chamber, and a support for the riElie-bar frame, means for compressing the pneumatic tube on one side thereof for tilting laterally the rifiie-bar separator, substantially as described.

18. In a machine of the class described, employing air for separating the ore, a compartment having a frame, rifiie-bar supports,

ports and secured upon the outside of the frame, said supports being formed with V- shaped grooves, V-shaped riffle-bars engaging the grooves in said supports, and means for clamping the said riffle-bars and permeable fabric to the rifI'le-bar supports, sub stantially as described.

19. An ore separator composed of a main frame, an axial shaft mounted thereon, a tilting frame mounted on said shaft projected above the main frame and depended within the main frame, an air compartment, a separatorbox mounted on the tilting frame, means for tilting the separator compartment laterally upon the air compartment, means on the tilting frame for forcing an air-blast through the separator, and means for tilting said tilting frame and its contained parts longitudinally, substantially as described.

20. In a machine of the class described, employing a main frame, an axial shaft, a tilting frame suspended thereon, a transmitting shaft journaled onsaid tilting frame, a piston rod vertically journaled in said frame, means for reciprocating said piston rod, means for adjusting the strain on said piston rod, consisting of a coiled spring around said piston rod, a fixed support therefor, a screw threaded'sleeve on the piston rod, a screwthreaded nut engaging the threads of said sleeve, a collar fixed to the piston rod and interposed between the spring and sleeve nut, substantially as described. i

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

EDWIN M. J AI'IRAUS. Witnesses i W. E. JAHRAUS, OLIVER B. KAISER. 

